This will be short as it was a busier-than-usual Monday.
- Last week I gave away a few more things. I have a ton of reusable bags, which I’d been keeping because I do find they don’t last forever. But I had some heavier items and didn’t trust a paper bag to be sturdy enough. So I loaded them into one of the many reusable bags. Even though it was the smallest donation I’ve made to date, it felt good to get rid of some things.
- I’m still experiencing trial and error with my grocery shopping routine. I’d been going on Wednesdays and Sundays, but found Sundays too busy. So I switched over to Tuesday and Friday. Unfortunately, I’m finding Fridays busy too but will stick with them for now. On my last trip I had to stand in line for a while, and found myself next to a display of 3 for $10 bargain books. Two things I love: bargains and books. But I seldom bother with these displays because I’ve found that those are books I’ve read already or they’re not at all interesting to me. This time was different. Two books I wanted to read sat on top of the pile, not far from a third book by an author I’ve read and liked. I was very, very close to throwing all three in my cart, but I reminded myself that the library is a much better option.
- I got a nice new datebook for Christmas, and have been using it pretty faithfully to keep track of appointments and obligations. But I learned that it doesn’t help if you don’t pay careful attention to dates. For the life of me I swore today was the 21st, and this was important because I had an appointment for my annual physical at 6:30 on the 22nd. Mondays are busy because Emma has dance, and when we get home we immediately have dinner. At 6:45 we were about to sit down when the phone rang, and the very nice nurse asked me if I was coming to my appointment. “It’s tomorrow,” I said. “The 22nd?” Oops. Luckily a later patient came early and I live close so I was able to run over. It takes a really long time to get an appointment with my doctor so I am glad it worked out. And it was a definite reminder that I need to pay better attention to dates.
Hi Tracy, it’s been nice to watch your progress this year. What type of datebook do you use? I recently started what is called a “bullet journal.” (let’s not get me started on planners – paper is probably my biggest clutter issue)
Well done resisting the bargain books. That is always my biggest challenge too.
Last year, I created my own calendar in a spiral notebook, and as I’m headed into the 2nd year using it, I’m very pleased with my creation. And to keep the family on board with events, we have a (big) marker board calendar hanging on the kitchen wall.
Keep up the good work!
You see I would have got the bargain books (money permitting!) but am so much better at read and donate these days. I suppose that is progress!!
last fall I bought a simple calendar/planner from a non-profit as a fund raiser for them; after purchase I found it only went through June 2016. I’m beginning to get appointments for later in the year, so got another simple calendar/planner that covers all 2016. I haven’t converted all the info info one book so have two calendars which is very frustrating. Also, to keep family alert to monthly activities, I purchased a ‘stick on, easily removable, won’t damage’ kind of white board to write on. What a mess. After a couple of months, the ‘easy-write’ on surface would no longer erase. It had remained on the cabinet door for several months in its ugly state, but this weekend I decided to remove it. This “easily removable, won’t damage” white stick-on peeled the laminate off the cabinet door! I am so upset that each attempt to organize our lives seems to result in more difficulty or damage. I enjoy your posts & value your postings this year. Great job on not purchasing books! Books are so enticing, and are another one of my downfalls although we are going to the library twice a week now to keep up with 2nd grader’s book loves.